15 Questions
How does fever affect the pulse rate?
Increases the pulse rate
Which medication decreases the pulse rate?
Digitalis preparation
What is the effect of exercise on pulse rate?
Increases
How does stress impact the heart rate?
Increases the heart rate
What happens to blood pressure when a patient assumes a sitting or standing position?
Blood pressure decreases
What is the correct method for calculating heart rate using the radial artery pulse?
Count the pulse beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two
When should you take an apical pulse instead of counting the radial artery pulse?
If the radial pulse is abnormal in any way
What is the purpose of recording the heart rate on paper or a flow sheet?
To document and track changes in heart rate over time
Which artery is typically used to assess the heart rate?
Radial artery
Why should you count the pulse for a full minute if it is abnormal in any way?
To ensure accuracy of the measurement
What does the term 'pulse' indicate?
Heart rate and rhythm
Which of the following defines apical pulse rate?
Number of heart beats per minute
What vital sign is typically measured by counting the number of heart beats per minute?
Heart rate
Which vital sign is associated with the term 'apical pulse'?
Heart rate
Which vital sign is primarily an indicator of the heart's rhythm?
Heart rate
Study Notes
Pulse Rate in Infants and Children
- Newborn to 1 month: 130 BPM
- 1-12 months: 80-120 BPM
- 1-2 years: 80-120 BPM
- 2-8 years: 80-100 BPM
- 8-12 years: 70-90 BPM
- 12 years and above: 60-80 BPM
Factors Affecting Pulse Rate
Sex
- After puberty, average male pulse rate is slightly lower than female
Exercise
- Pulse rate increases with exercise
Fever
- Pulse rate increases in response to lowered blood pressure due to peripheral vasodilation and increased metabolic rate
Medications
- Digitalis preparation: decreases pulse rate
- Epinephrine: increases pulse rate
Environmental Factors
Heat
- Pulse rate increases as a compensatory mechanism
Stress
- Increases sympathetic nerve stimulation, increasing heart rate and force of heart beat
Position Changes
- When assuming a sitting or standing position, blood pools in dependent vessels of the venous system, affecting pulse rate
Measuring Pulse Rate
- Count pulse beats for 30 seconds and multiply by two to get rate per minute
- Count pulse for full minute if it's abnormal in any way
- Take an apical pulse to measure heart beats per minute
Test your knowledge on the factors influencing heart rate, from the normal range for newborns to the effects of exercise, fever, medications, heat, and stress on pulse rate. Explore how gender, exercise, fever, medications, heat, and stress can impact heart rate.
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